Slideshow detailing Harrison Fraker's triple net zero (waste, water, and energy) EcoBlock concept.

1. Made-in-China
“Eco-Blocks”
A Replicable Model for Sustainable Neighborhoods
A “Leap-frog” strategy away from reliance on centralized
infrastructure
Energy, Climate and Global Security
Resilient Pathways for a Non-Linear World
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
April 1, 2008
Harrison Fraker, FAIA
Dean and William W. Wurster Professor
College of Environmental Design
University of California, Berkeley
part of the Urban Sustainability Project
Berkeley Institute of the Environment
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

2. WHY
Carbon Neutral
Future
It is a carbon
problem
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

3. WHY
Carbon Neutral
Future
Building
consumption
represents
almost half the
challenge
Source: Energy Information Administration Statistics (Architecture 2030)
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

4. WHY
Carbon Neutral
Future
Buildings and
cars represent
65% of the
challenge
Source: Energy Information Administration Statistics (Architecture 2030)
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

5. WHY
The Impact of Coal
Carbon
Neutral Future
2012
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

6. WHY
Opportunity Wedges
Carbon Neutral
Future
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

7. WHY OPTIONS:
Carbon Neutral Supply Side
Future
A. Add to the Grid with large scale renewables
(wind farms, solar farms, geothermal, ocean and tidal)
B. Sequester carbon (clean coal)
C. Find new technologies to remove carbon from the
atmosphere
D. New biofuels for transportation
Demand Side
A. Reduce demand from central infrastructure through
conservation and renewables equals:
The 2030 0Challenge
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

8. 2030 0Challenge
• New building project, development and major
renovation meet a fossil fuel energy-consumption
performance standard of 50% of the regional (or
country) average for that building type.
• That at a minimum an equal amount of existing
building area be renovated to use 50% of the fossil fuel
energy they currently consume.
• New Buildings-50%
2010 – 60%
2015 – 70%
2020 – 80%
2025 – 90%
2030 – Carbon Neutral
(no fossil fuel energy to operate)
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

9. The Eco Block
Qingdao Sustainable Development
Demonstration Project
University of
California
Huahui Designs Berkeley
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

10. At current growth rates, the built area of China will double within 25 years
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

11. China is efficient at building housing on a mass scale to meet this rate of
growth – 11 million new ‘SuperBlock’ housing units are built each year
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

12. There is a massive demand for new infrastructure
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

13. …and the natural environment has become significantly degraded
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

14. The need for sustainable development is recognized…
quot;We will endeavor to develop a circular economy, lower energy and resources
consumption and build a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society and
ensure sound balance between economic development, population, resources and
environment.quot;
Chinese President Hu Jintao, CEO summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC), Nov. 17 2006
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

15. The mass-replicated SuperBlocks place significant
demands on China’s infrastructure
potable water
sewage
landfill
power plant
SuperBlock
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

16. If SuperBlocks could be self-sufficient with respect to energy,
water, and waste, demand on China’s infrastructure and
natural resources could be significantly reduced
energy
water
waste
EcoBlock
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

17. EcoBlock Goals
• Mass replicable
• Economically viable
• Resource self-sufficient – water, waste, energy
• 100% wastewater recycled on site
• 75%+ reduced potable water demand
• 100% on-site renewable energy generation
• Encourage journeys by foot, bicycle and transit
• 40% to 60% site area to be green space
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

18. Qingdao City
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

19. Qingdao
Bus Rapid
Transit
Site
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

20. Qingdao EcoBlock: Site Location
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

21. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Program Details
EcoBlock
00
600 units per EcoBlock
12
0
Eco-block = 3.5 hectares
30
600
1,800 residents per
600
EcoBlock
171 units per hectare
600
600
Qingdao Prototype Site
600
EcoBlock replicated 8 times
600
5,100 units at the Qingdao site
Increased density near transit
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

22. EcoBlock
whole systems thinking
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

23. Whole Systems
Thinking
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

24. Energy Demand Reduction Strategies
High
Daylighting Building shading Energy
Passive
performance
efficient
solar heating Reflective
glazing
equipment
pavement
Efficient
lighting
Natural
ventilation
Shaded
walkways
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

25. Creating a Sustainable Supply of Energy
Canopy integrated
Roof mounted photovoltaics
photovoltaics
Building
integrated
wind turbines
Digester
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

26. Sustainable Energy Supply
53% 40%
Wind
Photovoltaics
455,000 494,000 kWh/yr
Turbines
kWh/yr
On-site
Renewable
Energy 84%
On-site
Renewable
Waste Energy
16%
Primary Water Green Waste
Household
Tank - Sludge
Organic Waste
Anaerobic
Digester 7% 80,500 kWh/yr
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

27. Reducing Reliance on Grid Based Energy
Conservation and Efficiency On-Site Generation
per EcoBlock (Buildings Only)
Net Annual Energy from Grid
100
1,600,000
1,400,000
kWh/year
Optimized 80%
facade
1,200,000
Photovoltaics
Natural
1,000,000 60%
ventilation
800,000 Passive
heating Wind 40%
600,000 turbines
Daylighting
400,000
20%
Efficient equipment &
Digester
lighting
200,000
0 0%
100% residual energy demand met by on-site renewables
Total demand + supply savings = 1,650,000 kWh/year
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

28. EcoBlock Energy Demand Profile
120
100
80
Thousands Kwh
Energy from
battery storage
Energy from
Surplus energy
60 battery storage
stored
40
Surplus energy
stored
20
0
Midnight 4 AM 8 AM 12 PM 4 PM 8 PM
Time of Day
Total Energy Used per Hour Total Energy Generated per Hour
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

29. Waste to Energy Anaerobic Digester
31% efficient
gas-fired
Methane electricity
out turbine
Biogassification
Hydrolysis
reactor
reactor
Buffer
Tank
Household
Organic Waste Waste
Hydraulic
mixed Energy to
mixing
with Water
Green Waste
buildings
water drawn
Water and off
Sludge generated organic acid
Hydraulic Water recycled to hydrolysis tank
mixing
Eco Block
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

30. Reducing Demand for Potable Water
Xeriscaping
Low flow Low flow fixtures
Recycled water
equipment & fittings
for irrigation
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

31. Alternative Sources of Water Supply
Wastewater Treatment
Constructed wetlands On-site chlorination 15% of potable water
Gray water treatment
Reverse Osmosis
living machine system and UV treatment supply from off-site
Rainwater storage
Rain gardens
Swales
Porous paving
Rainwater Harvesting
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

32. Wastewater Recycling Systems
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

33. Reducing Reliance on the Grid
Conservation and
On-Site Treatment
Efficiency
Baseline
Development
160
100%
140
80%
120
W ater Demand from G rid
Water Efficient
Fixtures
(M illions of Liters)
100
60%
Rainwater
80
Tertiary 40%
60
Treatment
Advanced
40
Treatment 20%
Advanced
20 Treatment to
Potable Standards
0 0%
85% savings on potable water demand overall
98M liters/year by sustainable supply
Total Demand + Supply Savings = 151M
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

34. Treatment for Household Demand
Advanced
Treatment
25%
Kitchen
100%
25%
Shower
Tertiary
25%
Laundry
50%
50%
25%
Toilet
Household Gray Water Potable Water
Water Usage
Reverse
Primary Constructed Osmosis &
treatment Wetland UV Disinfection
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

35. EcoBlock: Reduced Waste to Landfill
green and organic waste
recyclables
All other waste
Automated
waste
339千克/天
management
339 kg/day
system
to Landfill
17%
550千克/天
550 kg/day to be Recycled
29%
1032千克/天 Waste to energy
1032 kg/day
54%
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

36. Sustainable
Waste Management
Automated Waste System
Underground automated waste management
system
Street waste
collections linked
to automated
Anaerobic digester
system
Each residential Off-site
unit linked direct recycling from
to automated central point
system
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

37. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Waste
Central waste
collection point
Digester
ste
Wa
ic
an
Other waste Or g
Recyclable
em
yst
S
e
st
Wa
d
te
ma
uto
A
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

38. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Blackwater and Tertiary Treatment
Central Primary Treatment
System for sludge and food
waste removal from
wastewater
Digester
Localized Reverse
Osmosis treatment
units at each Ecoblock
All Wastewater,
sludge and food
waste
Constructed
wetlands
Wastewater supply
for Wetlands
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

39. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Energy
Digester
On-site renewable
energy distribution
Battery storage of Distribution of
renewable electricity from
energy grid
Transformer
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

40. Landscapes–10 productive, frequently unrecognized,
dimensions in the figure/ground
1) Climate-creates comfort/
reduces heat island
2) Air Quality-absorbs
carbon, aromatic
3) Storm water-treatment
swales
4) Waste water-treatment
wetlands
5) Food-urban agriculture
6) Energy-creates biomas
fuel
7) Aesthetics-design quality
8) Health-healing effect
9) Recreation-shared
activity space
10) Community-perceived as
common good, builds
consensus
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

41. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Stormwater
Constructed
wetlands
Swales
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

42. Bio-swale
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

43. ©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

44. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Rainwater
Advanced Rainwater
Treatment
Primary Rainwater
Treatment
Potable Water
Swales
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

45. Qingdao EcoBlock Prototype: Site-wide Utilities
Water Recycling Distribution
Potable Water
from Grid
Centralized RO
Potable Water
Teritary
Treated Water
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

46. ©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

47. ©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

48. transport
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

49. Modal Share Comparisons
100%
Car 10%
Car 25%
Transit 10%
75% Car 50%
?
Car 90%
50%
Transit 50%
Bicycle &
Pedestrian Transit 20%
80%
25%
Bicycle & Bicycle &
Pedestrian Pedestrian
Transit 3% 30% 80%
Bicycle &
0% Pedestrian 7%
China US EU Japan China
Today Today Today Today 2030
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

50. BRT Station
BRT Station 5 min. walk 10 min. walk
Dedicated
off-street
paths
Primary
sidewalks
Secondary
sidewalks
High-level of pedestrian
accessibility and connectivity
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

51. Project Visualization
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

52. The Bottom Line
Delta between business-as-usual and EcoBlock
Capital Costs Annual Q&M Savings
Energy $6,200,000 $380,000
Waste $1,000,000 $14,000
Water and
$1,500,000 $15,000
wastewater treatment
Savings:
Parking (saved cars/unit) $31,000
$1,750,000
Total $6,950,000 $440,000
Sustainability initiatives are estimated to increase cost of development by 5%-10%
With real estate premium, NPV after 20 years = $1.12 million
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

53. Incremental Capital Costs by System
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

54. Costs and Financial Returns under Different Scenarios
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

55. Cost / Benefit
Eco Block Development Economic Model Redistribution
Model
Primary: Land Secondary :
Government Users
Developer Builder
• Reduced need on • Incremental • Incremental • Reduced fees
infrastructure investment on ‘eco’ investment on ‘eco’ payable on utilities
investment infrastructure for infrastructure for and services to
district buildings Government
Financial subsidy
• Incremental
management / Finance operation and pay
operation cost back investment
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

56. ECOBLOCK QINGDAO ECO-SITE
Reduced number of people drinking polluted water
1,422 人 / people 12,087 人 / people
Reduced CO2 emissions to the atmosphere
11,934 吨 / tons
1,404 吨 / tons
Reduced volumes of waste to landfill or urban dumps
3,500 吨 / tons
415 吨 / tons
Reduced volume of untreated sewage discharged to rivers
90 / million liters 765 / million liters
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

57. 12 SuperBlocks are built every day in China
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

58. If 25% of Superblocks built in the next year
were replaced with EcoBlocks, China could save:
1 3 Drinking-water plants
1 1 wastewater treatment plants
0 9 coal fired power stations
0 8 Ledu County landfill
$ 0 9 Billion
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

59. Qingdao can be the
model for sustainable
development
throughout
the world
©2007 by the Regents of the University of California Made-In-China “Eco-Blocks” Harrison Fraker, FAIA Dean College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley